Research Collaboration To Focus On Novel Ag Chemicals

Dow AgroSciences and Viamet Pharmaceuticals, Inc. have entered into a crop protection research, option, and license agreement to evaluate the potential use of Metallophile Technology to develop novel agricultural chemicals with new modes of action.

Under terms of the agreement, Viamet will utilize its proprietary Metallophile Technology, and Dow AgroSciences will employ its proprietary compound screening and product development capabilities, to discover and develop product candidates against priority targets in the crop protection field.

“We are excited to partner with a proven pioneer in novel technology,” states Dan Kittle, Ph.D., R&D vice president for Dow AgroSciences. “Viamet has demonstrated success in developing markedly improved inhibitors of large and commercially-validated classes of enzymes in the pharmaceutical arena. This collaboration with Viamet and its Metallophile Technology will accelerate the development of new agricultural chemistry and bring new robust solutions to the agricultural market and farmers around the world.”

The alliance with Dow AgroSciences is a further demonstration of the broad and varied application of Viamet’s Metallophile Technology in varied fields and industries.

“Partnering with Dow AgroSciences on this program provides Viamet with the opportunity to expand the Metallophile Technology beyond our current market opportunities,” says Robert Schotzinger, M.D., Ph.D., president and CEO of Viamet. “Dow AgroSciences is the perfect partner to help us solve a significant problem faced throughout the world, namely crop loss. Safety and efficacy are the cornerstone for all of our human therapeutic programs and will certainly be a primary focus as we work with Dow AgroSciences on this important endeavor.”